The Earth

The climate is a complex system of functions that allow our planet to sustain life. But how did everything come to be the way it is now? How did water become such a vital role to our planet? Why are we able to sustain life? The climate of our planet corresponds to how our planet was created. Here are 8 of the planet's biggest questions answered. And if you want to see even more facts about Earth and it's uniqueness you can find it here, which have 50 facts about Earth and it's cool features.

Sources: 

Oskin, Becky. "So Many Questions : DNews." DNews. N.p., 22 Apr. 2014. Web. 28 May 2014.

Bryner, Stephanie Pappas and Jeanna. "50 Interesting Facts About The Earth."LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 18 Mar. 2012. Web. 28 May 2014.

Climate Change is Still Really Hurting Florida

As a coastal state, Florida is getting hit pretty hard when it comes to climate change. Beaches and sea life are seeing this climate change faster than expected. And even worse, they are having to deal with the rising sea levels. This is already an effect that people have to deal with, because rising sea levels have caused increased flooding. Agriculture and wildlife are also already being effected which is really beginning to hurt Florida. In this article here you can read more about the effects climate change is having on Florida.

Source: Fishkind, Hank. "Fishkind: Effects of Climate Change Affect Florida Now."Fishkind: Effects of Climate Change Affect Florida Now. 16 May 2014. Web. 17 May 2014.

How did the Wildlife Make it Through This Polar Vortex?

While all of us were cozy in our beds with our heated blankets and hot chocolate, how were the wildlife surviving out there in the abnormally cold winter? Here is a website that talks more about how the animals are adapting to these frigid winters. Some animals survive through hibernation, while others learn more unique ways to adapt. Flying squirrels were seen cramming into small tree holes and huddling together and a ruffed grouse would bury itself in the snow and create a miniature igloo to protect itself from further cold spells. These are just two examples of how some of the wildlife was adapting during the Polar Vortex, but there are many other examples on the website.

Source #2: Miller, Matt. "How Will the Polar Vortex Affect Wildlife?" Cool Green Science. 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 21 May 2014.

Burmese Pythons Invade the Everglades

In one of my math classes, Operations Research, we looked at real life problems and used linear programming to help us find solutions. One of the problems proposed were the evasive species of Burmese Pythons invading the Everglades. Florida is currently facing the problem of trying to control the pythons but since they eat pretty much everything and are extremely difficult to find let alone catch. The snakes actually go brought over to the US as pets, but are rapidly spreading as an evasive species. The reason I bring this up is because since the US is getting warmer, there is now a larger area that these snakes are able to survive in. These snakes are one of the largest snakes on the planet, and although 2,000 have already been killed, that is only a fraction that is still out there. The snakes are beginning to gain ground in moving up Florida, and in no time they could continue to move right up the US. Climate change and global warming is making it easier for these snakes to survive in places they possibly never could have before, making them an even worse threat for us.

Source #1: United States. National Park Service. "Burmese Pythons." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 18 May 2014. Web. 20 May 2014.

Who is being effected by Global Warming?